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Boulder meteorologist: Sunday's snowstorm likely to be biggest of season

By Joe Rubino, Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
02/23/2013 11:14:18 PM MST

Updated:
02/24/2013 10:21:32 AM MST

A radar image shows the storm system moving into Colorado as of 10:50 p.m. Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 (National Weather Service )

Snow-starved Boulder residents got a taste on Wednesday and Thursday of the main cold, wintry course that Mother Nature began dishing out overnight and will continue serving into the afternoon Sunday, according to forecasters.

Local meteorologist Matt Kelsch said the large snowstorm that began moving into the area Saturday night will linger over the Front Range throughout most the day Sunday, and should drop between 6 and 10 inches on most of Boulder County before it's through.

Kelsch said he expects most of the snow to accumulate before noon, and then taper off as the afternoon progresses. If forecasts are correct, Kelsch said, the snowfall should surpass the 6.7 inches the city of Boulder received on Christmas Day to claim the title of the biggest storm of the winter, so far.

"It could be nasty out there," Kelsch said Saturday night.

The National Weather Service at about 3:40 p.m. Saturday issued a winter storm warning for numerous Front Range counties, including Boulder, Denver and Broomfield. The warning will remain in effect until 5 p.m. Sunday. The service advised area residents that the storm system will make travel dangerous and that people should only venture out if they have to.

The Colorado Department of Transportation on Saturday night echoed that warning, noting blizzard conditions are expected on the eastern plains. More than 300 snowplows will continue working in 12-hour shifts across the Front Range and plains until roads are cleared of snow and ice, according to CDOT. Motorists are encouraged to call 511 or visit cotrip.org for the latest road conditions.

Following a storm on Wednesday night that dropped more than 4.5 inches of snow on Boulder, Kelsch said the city had received about 9 inches of new snow for the month. With Sunday's snowfall, Boulder is certain to surpass the February average of 11.5 inches, Kelsch said.

"We're going to end up with our first snowy month of the season," he said. "All of the other months so far have been below average."

The National Weather Service is calling for a sunny but cold day Monday, with highs is the low 30s but wind gusts as high as 16 mph and wind chill values as low as zero.

Boulder may get yet another taste of winter on Tuesday, with forecasts calling for a 30 percent chance of snow that afternoon.

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